Abstract:

Background: Globally school-age children, adolescents and young adults bear the highest burden of
schistosomiasis. When developing a specific intervention to improve community’s knowledge, attitudes, and
practices (KAPs), existing KAPs must be taken into account. Therefore, this study was designed to determine
schoolchildren’s KAPs on schistosomiasis in the study area.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Busanga and Kibuyi villages involving 513 schoolchildren. A
pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and to assess KAP on schistosomiasis among
primary schoolchildren in the study area.
Results: Of the 488 interviewed children, 391 (80.12%) reported to have heard of schistosomiasis, with the majority
289 (73.91%) citing school as the source of this knowledge. Swimming in the lake, worms, witchcraft, and mosquitoes
were mentioned to be the cause for intestinal schistosomiasis. Fishing in the lake, drinking unboiled lake water, walking
bare footed, and shaking hands were reported to be practices that may lead to contracting schistosomiasis. Only 156
(39.90%) of the study respondents reported to know the signs of intestinal schistosomiasis. Avoiding swimming in the
lake, drinking unboiled water and eating unwashed fruits were mentioned as preventive measures. Nearly 85% (412)
reported understanding that there was a disease known as schistosomiasis; additionally, 419 (85.86%) considered
schistosomiasis as a dangerous disease and 418 (85.66%) believed that schistosomiasis was treatable. Fishermen and
schoolchildren were reported to be groups most at risk of schistosomiasis infection. Visiting the lake (for swimming
and other gatherings) was a common practice among study participants 471 (96.52%).Nearly 93% (451) of participants
mentioned using lake water for domestic chores, and, although 407 (84.61%) reported to own a toilet at home, only
229 (55.31%) reported to always use a toilet for sanitation purposes.
Conclusion and recommendation: Despite a high rate of awareness among schoolchildren regarding schistosomiasis,
there was a persistent gap amongst the children regarding the causes, modes of transmission, symptoms, and
preventive measures for the disease. Therefore, an appropriate health education intervention is needed in order to
inculcate better knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst schoolchildren regarding its transmission, control, and
prevention as part of a successful schistosomiasis campaign.